APRM sensitisation project in Namibia

The APRM Sensitisation Project in Namibia (ASPIN) aims to enhance the participation of civil society in the Namibian African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) process, through capacity-building, fostering better knowledge of the APRM

The APRM Sensitisation Project in Namibia (ASPIN) aims to enhance the participation of civil society in the Namibian African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) process, through capacity-building, fostering better knowledge of the APRM and its rules and opportunities, and developing a written submission on the key governance issues in Namibia.

Background

The APRM, established in 2003, is Africa’s premier governance self-assessment and promotion tool. The purpose of the APRM is “to foster the adoption of policies, standards and practices that lead to political stability, high economic growth, sustainable development and accelerated sub-regional and continental economic integration through reinforcement of best practices, including identifying deficiencies and accessing the needs for capacity building,” according to its founding documents.

In January 2017, Namibia became the 36th African Union member state to voluntarily accede to the APRM. This signalled President Hage Geingob’s commitment to open governance, reducing corruption and promoting the rule of law. The APRM’s rules require that civil society is meaningfully involved in each country’s review process. Together with government and the private sector, the country’s civil society will diagnose governance strengths and weaknesses, and develop appropriate and applicable remedies.

Potential benefits of the APRM in Namibia

Namibia’s accession provides civil society organisations (CSOs) with an important opportunity. Government’s plans for the process have not yet solidified, so there is an opening to influence them. The APRM also provides a platform to promote a wide range of governance issues that CSOs feel passionately about, through evidence-based submissions. It is a requirement that civil society be involved in a country’s APRM process. But the extent of their involvement is up to the CSOs, depending on how informed, interested and mobilised they are.

There are several potential benefits stemming from Namibia’s accession to the APRM. This African-owned process will produce a comprehensive governance assessment of Namibia’s strengths and weaknesses, and develop recommendations to remedy shortcomings. The APRM can catalyse and bolster reform efforts, and open civic space for CSOs and citizens through the dialogue it promotes. It is also an opportunity for Namibia to explain and showcase its best practices to its peers, and to build capacity in Namibia CSOs. A well-run, inclusive and transparent process can promote accountability in the country, and potentially attract investors and development assistance. And the more SADC countries that are encouraged to accede, the easier it is to deal with cross-boundary issues, including climate, health and migration.

The process so far

ASPIN was officially launched in February 2018, when SAIIA visited Windhoek and in turn the IPPR visited Johannesburg and Pretoria. At these meetings, a multi-stakeholder Civil Society Working Group on the APRM (WGA) was formed on 19 February 2018.

The next visit took place between 3 and 7 September 2018. SAIIA and IPPR convened a working group meeting, where members reviewed the progress of the written draft submissions for the governance issues previously identified. This included presentations of submissions on unemployment, inequality and poverty, education, health and corruption amongst others. The presentations were followed by rich discussions around the issues raised, further possible evidence and recommendations going forward. SAIIA and IPPR also held discussions with the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation and the National Planning Commission, which will form the focal point of the APRM process in Namibia. (See ASPIN Civil Society Working Group Meeting Report, September 2018). Namibian civil society was well represented in a meeting with the APRM’s Advance Mission to Namibia on 11 September.

The next visit is scheduled for 22-24 October 2018, where a validation workshop will take place to finalise the civil society submission. To attend or find out more, please contact IPPR.